Wade Wooten for County Judge: Leadership Rooted in Lampasas
Retired businessman and lifelong Lampasas resident Wade Dudley Wooten has officially entered the race for Lampasas County Judge, offering a vision grounded in service, history, and respect for the community that built him.
“I never considered running for public office until now,” says Wooten. “But after watching our Pocket Park destroyed and century-old pecan trees cut down to make room for a metal storage building, I knew it was time to step forward. We can do better — we can plan better — and we can protect what makes Lampasas special.”
Born into a family with deep roots in the county, Wooten represents five generations of local service. His great-great-grandfather, D.W. Taylor, was Lampasas County’s first judge and a pioneer cattleman. His grandfather served as the city’s fire chief, his father operated a photography studio and the Retail Merchants Association, and his mother’s family farmed and preached in Topsey and School Creek. Those family values of hard work, faith, and stewardship guide his campaign today.
After earning his degree from Southwest Texas University, Wooten began a career with the Texas Employment Commission as a tax auditor and later a management analyst, developing budgets and conducting cost studies for state programs. He later turned his weekend passion — antique furniture restoration — into a full-time business that served customers across Texas, including the Texas State Senate, where he restored historic pieces for the Capitol.
Now retired, Wooten serves his community in multiple ways: on the Lampasas Area Foundation for the Arts, as a member of Forward Lampasas, the Museum Board, the St. Mary’s Episcopal Vestry, and with Vision Lampasas, the Lampasas Chamber Music Festival, and Christmas on the Creek.
A Vision for a Stronger Lampasas
Wooten’s priorities reflect a practical, hands-on understanding of county needs:
- Securing our water supply and protecting the Lampasas River watershed.
- Maintaining flood-control dams and ensuring our first responders have the equipment and coordination they need.
- Supporting local businesses through partnerships with the city, Chamber of Commerce, and nonprofit organizations to attract festivals, markets, and tourism.
- Celebrating our heritage with community-driven improvements such as a public fountain honoring the natural springs that founded Lampasas.
He also stresses fiscal responsibility and local collaboration. “We have all the local talent we need right here,” Wooten says. “If we bring together volunteer groups, local businesses, and the county with support from grants and private donations, we can make visible progress without raising taxes.”
Why Wade Wooten is the Right Choice
In a race that includes Republican candidates David Millican and Jo Ann San Miguel, Wooten offers something distinct: a candidate whose leadership rises above partisanship. His message is simple — Lampasas first.
He brings decades of financial management, business ownership, and civic experience, paired with the humility and respect of someone who has lived the county’s history firsthand. Wooten is running not for power, but to give back.
“I’m seeking this job to repay my community for the freedoms and opportunities I’ve enjoyed,” he says. “Together, we can preserve what we love about Lampasas and build a future that honors our past.”
Wade Wooten for Lampasas County Judge — Leadership Rooted in Service.